Antonov An-124 Condor

Summary

Description

When it was introduced in 1986, the An-124 Ruslan (NATO designation: Condor) was the largest aircraft in the world, surpassing the C-5 Galaxy. It has since been surpassed by another Antonov, the An-225 Cossack.

The Condor is quite similar in design to the C-5. Loading can be done through the rear ramp or through the nose of the aircraft, using two cranes capable of lifting up to 20 tons. The pressurized upper deck can also accommodate 88 passengers. The maximum payload the An-124 can carry is slightly over 150 tons of cargo, although in July 1985, one example managed to carry nearly 171 tons. In order to support such a weight, it is equipped with a landing gear consisting of 24 wheels, allowing the Condor to operate from unprepared runways or runways covered in snow or ice. Like the C-5, the aircraft can be lowered to facilitate loading using ramps. The aircraft's cargo hold is as impressive as the exterior of the Condor suggests: it can accommodate heavy battle tanks, locomotives, as well as yachts or entire satellites. An example of an An-124 was seen delivering a third of an Airbus A-380 fuselage, another transporting a live whale, and others transporting SS-20 missile batteries (which contributed to the aircraft's reputation).

After the end of the Cold War, the An-124s in service in the USSR were transferred to Russia and Ukraine. Over the years, due to staff reductions, a number of aircraft were transferred to civilian airlines. The rapid growth in demand for super-heavy transport, both in the civilian and military sectors, saved the An-124 from destruction or early retirement. There have been discussions in recent years about restarting An-124 production. Currently, it appears that Ukraine still has 7 operational aircraft in its air force, while the numbers for Russia are more uncertain (between 10 and 25 aircraft according to sources). Libyan Arab Air Cargo, a Libyan company, operates two aircraft, which are used for both the Libyan air force and civilian missions. Another aircraft is in service with an airline in the United Arab Emirates. The largest civilian operators of the An-124 are two Russian companies, the well-known Volga-Dnepr (10 aircraft) and Polet Airlines (8), and one Ukrainian company, Antonov Airlines (7).

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Russia	4

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Russia • Ukraine

Photo of An-124 Condor

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